Method and system for automated generation of a wall panel 2d drawings from a 3d model

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a computer method for generating a set of assembly illustrations, comprising: accessing a model frame wherein the model frame includes at least one wall panel assembly; analyzing the wall panel assembly, wherein a set of members are identified which comprise the wall panel; accessing the set of members and individually analyzing each members properties and coordinates and relationship to all interfacing members; transitioning the model frame wall panel from a first state to a second state, wherein an analysis is performed on the conversion based on the order and process of the transition data; and analyzing the transition data for member interfacing, and processing the transition data relative to the member interfacing to identify an assembly process for the wall panel; and generating to be displayed on a display module, a set of drawings which represent the assembly process of the wall panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part (and claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 120) of U.S. application Ser. No.

16/714,702 filed

Dec. 14, 2019. The disclosure of the prior applications is considered part of (and is incorporated by reference in) the disclosure of this application.

BACKGROUND

This Disclosure relates generally to building construction and in particular, to the method, computer program, or computer system for providing the assembly drawings for the walls, roofs, and floors.

Building construction is a complicated process in which the step of assembling the framing members is time consuming activity. In pre engineering building construction, where the members for the assembly are pre-engineered and premanufactured, the pre-assembly of the members together to form the wall panel is critical.

Traditional method of assembly of the building walls in which the member placement, fasteners requirement has to be determined from the drawings is time consuming and increases the chances for errors. There tends to be more wasted material, fasteners, and time when the wall panels have to be assembled on site as the workers usually do not have access to the drawings and are working from experience.

During the building construction process, the majority of the time is consumed on the assembly of the frame. Sometimes the workers in the factory assembling the frame are typically not skilled labor. For an unskilled worker to read and assemble the members together can be a time-consuming activity and delay the overall construction process. Typically, these workers need to either have the entire process meticulously explained to them, or they have to be walked through the process for each wall panel of the frame.

It is desired to have a system or method to generate drawings for the building frame, that permit even unskilled laborers to easily and quickly put the frame together with little to no errors. The creation of a set of drawings that are specific to the building, clearing identify each wall panel, and the order to install each member would provide a substantial advantage over the current methods which are used to generate drawings for the assembly of buildings and structures.

SUMMARY

In a first embodiment the present invention is a computer method for generating a set of assembly illustrations for wall panels, comprising: accessing, by at least one processor, a model wherein the model frame includes at least one wall panel assembly, wherein the at least one wall panel assembly is isolated; analyzing, by at least one processor, the wall panel assembly, wherein a set of members are identified which comprise the wall panel; accessing, by at least one processor, the set of members and individually analyzing each member and coordinates and relationship to all interfacing members; transitioning, by at least one processor, the wall panel assembly from an assembled version to a disassembled state; analyzing, by at least one processor, the transition of the wall panel assembly to identify a set of steps from the transition; analyzing, by at least one processor, the set of steps to manipulate the wall panel assembly from the assembled version to the disassembled state, wherein an assembly process is generated; and generating, by at least one processor, a images to be displayed on a display module representing the generated assembly process.

In a second embodiment the present invention is a computer program product for generating a set of assembly illustrations for wall panels, comprising: one or more computer non-transitory readable storage media and program instructions stored on the one or more computer non-transitory readable storage media, the program instructions comprising: program instructions to access a model wherein the model frame includes at least one wall panel assembly, wherein the at least one wall panel assembly is isolated; program instructions to analyze the wall panel assembly, wherein a set of members are identified which comprise the wall panel; program instructions to access the set of members and individually analyzing each member and coordinates and relationship to all interfacing members; program instructions to transition the wall panel assembly from an assembled version to a disassembled state; program instructions to analyze the transition of the wall panel assembly to identify a set of steps from the transition; program instructions to analyze the set of steps to manipulate the wall panel assembly from the assembled version to the disassembled state, wherein an assembly process is generated; and program instructions to generate a images to be displayed on a display module representing the generated assembly process.

In a third embodiment the present invention is a system for generating a set of assembly illustrations for wall panels, comprising: one or more computer non-transitory readable storage media and program instructions stored on the one or more computer non-transitory readable storage media, the program instructions comprising: program instructions to access a model wherein the model frame includes at least one wall panel assembly, wherein the at least one wall panel assembly is isolated; program instructions to analyze the wall panel assembly, wherein a set of members are identified which comprise the wall panel; program instructions to access the set of members and individually analyzing each member and coordinates and relationship to all interfacing members; program instructions to transition the wall panel assembly from an assembled version to a disassembled state; program instructions to analyze the transition of the wall panel assembly to identify a set of steps from the transition; program instructions to analyze the set of steps to manipulate the wall panel assembly from the assembled version to the disassembled state, wherein an assembly process is generated; and program instructions to generate an image to be displayed on a display module representing the generated assembly process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram depicting a computing environment, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram depicting the internal and external components of the server and computing device of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the present.

FIG. 3 depicts a cloud computing environment, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of the operational steps of generating a set of generating the illustration data and drawings within the computing environment of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustration of a 2-dimensioned wall panel assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustration of a completed drawing of the wall panel assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts an assembled wall panel, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts a disassembled wall panel, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to a method for analyzing the wall panels of a building and determining how each wall panel is assembled. Then generating an illustration or a set of drawings that explain in detail the process to assemble each wall panel. The drawings/illustrations provide all the necessary information a worker would need to construct each wall panel. This includes each and every detail the worker would need, down to the number and type of screws needed, the specific placement of each member, and the order of assembly so that the worker can easily and correctly assemble each wall panel.

The present invention provides the advantage over the prior art by incorporating the analyze of either 3D or 2D models or drawings, and determine the ideal construction method of the model or drawing based on the construction method or the type of members which are used in the construction of the wall panel. The correct placement of each members is important as this affects the assembly process. Additionally, in the assembly process is sometimes, upwards of thousands of members, and many of the members may visually appear identical but may be designed for specific locations or placement. By placing the wrong member in the wrong position could results in a deficiency in the building construction and lead to serious problems or injuries. Equally as important is the fasteners or securing methods which are used to secure the members and in some instances the wall panels. Again, different connection points require different fasteners or securing means and the incorrect type of fastener or securing method could result in deficiencies in the structural integrity of the building.

For each wall panel the correct no. of fasteners, special fastener requirements at any particular junction has to be shown so the over estimation of material on site can be avoided and also any special fastener requirement as per Engineering calculation at any particular junction is correctly provided in the drawings.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes a detailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachings recited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather, embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented in conjunction with any other type of computing environment now known or later developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing, memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or interaction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may include at least five characteristics, at least three service models, and at least four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provision computing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, as needed automatically without requiring human interaction with the service's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network and accessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according to demand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumer generally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of the provided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher level of abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elastically provisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out and rapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilities available for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can be purchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage, processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can be monitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both the provider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer is to use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure. The applications are accessible from various client devices through a thin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail). The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage, or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exception of limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer is to deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquired applications created using programming languages and tools supported by the provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, or storage, but has control over the deployed applications and possibly application hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to the consumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and other fundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating systems and applications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage, deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networking components (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for an organization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party and may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by several organizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns (e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and compliance considerations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third party and may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the general public or a large industry group and is owned by an organization selling cloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or more clouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities but are bound together by standardized or proprietary technology that enables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting for load-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus on statelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability. At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising a network of interconnected nodes.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a computing environment 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 provides an illustration of one embodiment and does not imply any limitations regarding the environment in which different embodiments maybe implemented.

In the depicted embodiment, computing environment 100 includes network 102, computing device 104, and server 106. Computing environment 100 may include additional servers, computers, or other devices not shown.

Network 102 may be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, any combination thereof, or any combination of connections and protocols that can support communications between computing device 104 and server 106 in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Network 102 may include wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections.

Computing device 104 may be a management server, a web server, or any other electronic device or computing system capable of processing program instructions and receiving and sending data. In other embodiments, computing device 104 may be a laptop computer, tablet computer, netbook computer, personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating with patient computing device 104 via network 102. In other embodiments, computing device 104 may be a server computing system utilizing multiple computers as a server system, such as in a cloud computing environment. In one embodiment, computing device 104 represents a computing system utilizing clustered computers and components to act as a single pool of seamless resources. Computing device 104 may include components, as depicted and described in further detail with respect to FIG. 1.

Server 106 may be a management server, a web server, or any other electronic device or computing system capable of processing program instructions and receiving and sending data. In other embodiments server 106 may be a laptop computer, tablet computer, netbook computer, personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating via network 102. In one embodiment, server 106 may be a server computing system utilizing multiple computers as a server system, such as in a cloud computing environment. In one embodiment, server 106 represents a computing system utilizing clustered computers and components to act as a single pool of seamless resources. In the depicted embodiment generation program 108 and database 110 are located on server 106. Server 106 may include components, as depicted and described in further detail with respect to FIG. 1.

The generation program 108 has the unique feature of creating assembly drawing for the wall panels (e.g. panels) which there are 3D models created of. The wall panels are reviewed for the assembly information. Several drawings or illustrations are generated showing the assembly, the features of the members, and necessary information for a worker to be able to easily identify the member or the frame. Assembly drawing shows the information about the different elements of the wall panels. It also shows the sequence for arranging the members on the ground before assembly. Drawing that also show the necessary Bill of material required for assembly of particular wall panel. The generation program 108 is able to identify the model, analyze the members, extract the member information, and generate a plurality of illustrations or drawings to provide necessary information for the workers.

In the depicted embodiment, generation program 108 utilizes network 102 to access the computing device 104 and to communicate with database 110. In one embodiment, generation program 108 resides on computing device 104. In other embodiments, generation program 108 may be located on another server or computing device, provided generation program 108 has access to database 110.

Database 110 may be a repository that may be written to and/or read by generation program 108. Information gathered from computing device 104 and the 1-dimensional, 2-dimensional, and 3-dimensional drawings and models as well as the requirements so that the assembly drawing in one embodiment, database 110 is a database management system (DBMS) used to allow the definition, creation, querying, update, and administration of a database(s). In the depicted embodiment, database 110 resides on computing device 104. In other embodiments, database 110 resides on another server, or another computing device, provided that database 110 is accessible to generation program 108.

FIG. 2, a schematic of an example of a cloud computing node is shown. Cloud computing node 10 is only one example of a suitable cloud computing node and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the invention described herein. Regardless, cloud computing node 10 is capable of being implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forth hereinabove.

In cloud computing node 10 there is a computer system/server 12, which is operational with numerous other general purposes or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context of computer system executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer system/server 12 may be practiced in distributed cloud computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer system storage media including memory storage devices.

FIG. 2, computer system/server 12 in cloud computing node 10 is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The components of computer system/server 12 may include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28, and a bus 18 that couples various system components including system memory 28 to processor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computer system readable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cache memory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided for reading from and writing to a nonremovable, non-volatile magnetic media (not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more data media interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below, memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out the functions of embodiments of the invention.

Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42, may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, as well as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data or some combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networking environment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more external devices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computer system/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output (I/O) interfaces 22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 can communicate with one or more networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20 communicates with the other components of computer system/server 12 via bus 18. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with computer system/server 12. Examples, include, but are not limited to microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

FIG. 3, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 is depicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or more cloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used by cloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA) or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C, and/or additional computer systems may communicate. Nodes 10 may communicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physically or virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community, Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combination thereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offer infrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloud consumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computing device. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-C shown in FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes 10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type of computerized device over any type of network and/or network addressable connection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring back to FIG. 2, the Program/utility 40 may include one or more program modules 42 that generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein. Specifically, the program modules 42 may analyze a model of a building, analyze the wall panels of the frame, determine an assembly process of the wall panels, and create a set of illustrations which depict the preferred assembly method of the wall panels. These illustrations depict the assembly process, the specific location and position of each member, and the position of the fastener(s) and the type of fastener to use when constructing the wall panel. The program is able to identify any conflicts and identify a potential solution to this conflict, so that the assembly process of the wall panels is without issues or complications. The unique feature of analyzing a model, determining the wall panel design and generating a drawing identifying the assembly order and process is advantageous to the construction industry to streamline this process. Other functionalities of the program modules 42 are described further herein such that the program modules 42 are not limited to the functions described above. Moreover, it is noted that some of the modules 42 can be implemented within the infrastructure shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 4 depicts flowchart 400 depicting a method according to the present invention. The method(s) and associated process(es) are now discussed, over the course of the following paragraphs, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The program(s) described herein are identified based upon the application for which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular program nomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus the invention should not be limited to use solely in any specific application identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.

In step 402, the generation program 108 analyzes the building frame. The frame is comprised of a series of panels (e.g. roof, floor, and wall). The generation program 108 analyzes the different panel types and identifies and isolates the wall panels. The generation program 108 analyzes the wall panels to identify the different members and member properties, specifically directed towards the wall panel specific features, aspects, and structural design. The generation program 108, in some embodiments, is able to perform a conflicts check on the members to determine that the members are conflict free, that the wall panels are conflict free, and that the frame is conflict free. In the instance where a conflict is identified, the generation program 108 either identifies the conflict and requests third party assistance or corrects the conflict. The generation program 108 identifies and retrieves the coordinates (X,Y,Z) of all the wall panels and members. The generation program 108 also analyzes the mating relationships (if present) of the members.

In step 404, the generation program 108 identifies the construction requirements for the frame and the wallpanel. The construction requirements are established by the building frame design, and the member positioning and location within the wall panels. The generation program 108 is able to extract the assembly process of the frame to determine the order in which the frame is assembled and also the order in which the wall panels are assembled. The generation program 108 incorporates the fastening method, the frame material types, and the modifications which are required to be made to the members to properly create the wall panels and then the frame. Through the calculations performed by the generation program 108 on the frame and the wall panels, the generation program 108 is able to generate a set of data associated with the assembly process of the wall panel, the order in which the members are secured together, and the fastening locations.

In step 406, the generation program 108 analyzes each member of the wall panels. The generation program 108 analyzes each member to detect the features of the member and the properties of the member. Through an extraction of the member data, the generation program 108 is able to detect a preferred assembly method based on an integration of the member data and a preferred assembly method. The generation program 108 accesses a database of assembly methods for different wall panel types. In some embodiments, computer learning technology is able to analyze different wall panel types and setups to formulate different assembly processes. The generation program 108 may take the wall panel by each member and select an assembly process, then determine the fastening points, and use this information in altering the assembly process. The assembly process information and data is stored and accessible by the generation program 108. The generation program 108 is able to take into account the location of the wall panel in relation to the rest of the frame to provide adequate fasteners and material properties. The generation program 108 identifies and retrieves the coordinates (X,Y,Z) of all the wall panels and members.

In step 408, the generation program 108 generates the illustrations of the wall panels. As shown in FIG. 6 is an embodiment of a wall panel and the illustration of an assembly process. The generation program 108 is able to take the wall panel data, the member data, and the analyzed assembly process, and create an image identifying the members, the order of connecting the members, and the fastening locations. This illustration is specific to each wall panel design. The illustration show the members, the position of the members relative to the other members, the wall panel in a disassembled state, and additional relevant information to assist in the assembly process (e.g. fastener type and quantity). This may include a BOM, each member number and orientation, the fastener type and position, and the like. The orientation of the member is analyzed to determine if the member has one specific direction. In some embodiments, dimensions are shown on the illustrations to provide reference points for the workers to confirm that the members are correct. In other embodiments, the members have differing markers to assist in identifying the member type, the overlap of the members, and which member is outside and which member is inside. In the depicted embodiments, the members are cold rolled “C” channels, these are designed and sized to fit within one another at the interface areas.

FIG. 5 depicts a drawing of an assembled wall panel, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The present drawing depicts a cold formed steel wall panel 600. The wall panel 600 is comprised of members 601-610. The image depicts all of the members secured to one another in a final form which the generation program 108 analyzes to determine the final position of the members, the interface areas of the members, the positioning of the members, wherein this data is used to create an illustration of the assembly process. The dimensions are shown as visual indicators for the works to confirm that the assembled wall panel matches the intended size. In the depicted embodiment, the analyzed distances and position of the members is related to the coordinates of the members in the model. These coordinates assist the generation program 108 in determining the assembly process of the wall panel.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustration of an architectural drawing 500, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The illustration has an assembled 501 and a disassembled 502 version of the wall panel. The drawing shows the overlapping portions of the members, the type of member (interior versus exterior) in terms of the assembly process. A BOM 603 of the members and the fasteners or other required components. The members are identified with a number which coincides with the assembly process. In the depicted embodiment, the there are notes on the fastener location, and dimensions to assist the worker in identifying the correct members.

This is to provide a clear illustration of each member, the type of member, the interface region of the member, and the bill of material of the members, fasteners, and components. The area of the members which overlaps with the other members is shown and indicated on the member type if the member is an interior or exterior member of the interface Various notes or identifications of specific assembly steps may be shown or added into the drawing. The BOM 603 is shown in the illustration to assist the workers as well. In the disassembled wall panel, the overlap portions of the members are identified and incorporated into the drawings, the fastener locations is identified and incorporated into the drawings. The different member types have different visual features (e.g. dotted versus slashed) which is based on the member being an “inner” member or an “outer” member. The inner versus outer is related to the positioning of the members when assembled. For example, members 702 and 703 fit within the channel of members 701.

FIGS. 7 and 8 depicted additional illustrations of a wall panel member in an assembled and disassembled state, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, members 702, 703, and 705 are preassembled as a single part. Members 701 and 704 are attached to the part on site. The generation program 108 uses these isolated models to further analyze the coordinates and interaction of the members, process the fastening locations, and extracting information associated with the assembly process. Through these models the generation program 108 is able to generate the data set which is used to convert these models into the drawings which provide visuals on the overlap of the members, the fastening locations, and the positionings of the members to successfully build the wall panel.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Present invention: should not be taken as an absolute indication that the subject matter described by the term “present invention” is covered by either the claims as they are filed, or by the claims that may eventually issue after patent prosecution; while the term “present invention” is used to help the reader to get a general feel for which disclosures herein that are believed as maybe being new, this understanding, as indicated by use of the term “present invention,” is tentative and provisional and subject to change over the course of patent prosecution as relevant information is developed and as the claims are potentially amended.

The foregoing descriptions of various embodiments have been presented only for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Additionally, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the present invention. In the specification and claims the term “comprising” shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term “including” and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term “comprising” such as “comprise” and “comprises”.

Although various representative embodiments of this invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventive subject matter set forth in the specification and claims. Joinder references (e.g. attached, adhered, joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. Moreover, network connection references are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members or devices between network connections of elements. As such, network connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are in direct communication with each other. In some instances, in methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Listing the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalent. 

1. A computer method for generating a set of assembly illustrations for wall panels, comprising: accessing, by at least one processor, a model wherein the model frame includes at least one wall panel assembly, wherein the at least one wall panel assembly is isolated; itemizing, by at least one processor, the wall panel assembly, wherein a set of members are identified which comprise the wall panel assembly; evaluating, by at least one processor, the set of members and individually analyzing each member coordinates, and relationship to all interfacing members, wherein the connection between all interfacing members is analyzed to determine a connection type; transitioning, by at least one processor, the wall panel assembly from an assembled state to a disassembled state; analyzing, by at least one processor, the transition of the wall panel assembly to identify a set of steps from the transition; analyzing, by at least one processor, the set of steps to manipulate the wall panel assembly from the assembled state to the disassembled state, wherein an assembly process is generated and the assembly process is the order of connecting the set of members based on the connection types; and generating, by at least one processor, an images of the generated assembly process.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transition data of the wall panel assembly includes fasteners which are used to secure the members.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, manipulating, by at least one processor, the members based on an identified connection area.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising, modifying, by at least one processor, the wall panel assembly by incorporating a set of fasteners within the identified connection area of each member.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising, associating, by at least one processor, an interface region of each member, wherein the interface region is associated with the interfacing of at least two members.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising, marking, by at least one processor, the interface region of each member based on the type of interface between the at least two members.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, altering, by at least one processor, the visual representation of the images, wherein the transition data is represented in the images showing a chronological order of transitioning the members from the disassembled state to the assembled version.
 8. A computer program product for generating a set of assembly illustrations for wall panels, comprising: one or more computer non-transitory readable storage media and program instructions stored on the one or more computer non-transitory readable storage media, the program instructions comprising: program instructions to isolate a wall panel of a model; program instructions to analyze the wall panel assembly and a set of members and fasteners which comprise the wall panel assembly, wherein each of the set of members are identified and the location of each of the set of members are identified; program instructions to categorize a connection type between each of the set of members; program instructions to manipulate the wall panel assembly from an assembled state to a disassembled state and back to the assembled state; program instructions to analyze the transition of the wall panel from the assembled to the disassembled and back to the assembled state to determine an ideal construction process of the wall panel and to establish a set of steps for the assembly process; program instructions to generate an assembly process of the wall panel, wherein images are created to show the assembly process of the set of members and the fasteners to create the wall panel and each member of set of members are numbered based on the assembly order.
 9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the transition data of the wall panel assembly includes fasteners which are used to secure the members.
 10. The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising, program instructions to manipulate the members based on an identified connection area.
 11. The computer program product of claim 11, further comprising, program instructions to modify the wall panel assembly by incorporating a set of fasteners within the identified connection area of each member.
 12. The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising, program instructions to associate an interface region of each member, wherein the interface region is associated with the interfacing of at least two members.
 13. The computer program product of claim 12, further comprising, program instructions to mark the interface region of each member based on the type of interface between the at least two members.
 14. The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising, program instructions to alter the visual representation of the images, wherein the transition data is represented in the images showing a chronological order of transitioning the members from the disassembled state to the assembled version.
 15. A system for generating a set of assembly illustrations for wall panels, comprising: one or more computer non-transitory readable storage media and program instructions stored on the one or more computer non-transitory readable storage media, the program instructions comprising: program instructions to access a model wherein the model frame includes at least one wall panel assembly, wherein the at least one wall panel assembly is isolated; program instructions to analyze the wall panel assembly, wherein a set of members are identified which comprise the wall panel assembly; program instructions to access the set of members and individually analyzing each member and interfacing between each of the members, wherein a connection type is identified; program instructions to manipulate the wall panel assembly from an original state to a disassembled state and to an assembled state; program instructions to analyze the transition of the wall panel assembly to identify a set of construction steps; program instructions to analyze the set of construction steps based on the connection types and a fastening method of the interfacing between each of the members to create an assembly process; and program instructions to create a visualization of the assembly process, wherein each member is identified by a value which is associated with the order of the assembly process.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the transition data of the wall panel assembly includes fasteners which are used to secure the members.
 17. The system of claim 15, further comprising, program instructions to manipulate the members based on an identified connection area.
 18. The system of claim 18, further comprising, program instructions to modify the wall panel assembly by incorporating a set of fasteners within the identified connection area of each member.
 19. The system of claim 15, further comprising, program instructions to associate an interface region of each member, wherein the interface region is associated with the interfacing of at least two members.
 20. The system of claim 19, further comprising, program instructions to mark the interface region of each member based on the type of interface between the at least two members. 